A Spear of Summer Grass

Exiled to Kenya after her latest scandalous exploit, Delilah Drummond, now the mistress of her stepfather's crumbling estate, falls into the decadent pleasures of society until she meets Ryder White, who becomes her guide to the beauty of the complex world of 1920s British Kenya

I LOVE this author - her Lady Julia Grey Victorian mystery series is spectacular - and was a little hesitant to read a standalone novel of hers, but I needn't have worried. This is set in 1920s Kenya, focusing on a socialite who flees to her stepfather's estate to escape disgrace in Paris. Delilah is a great protagonist - not entirely likable, which is refreshing in a female lead, with a really strong voice. Lots of nice historical detail and the book is clearly well-researched. As is almost always the case with books set in Africa focusing primarily on white characters, the racial elements are a little bit oversimplified, but I'm going to let it slide because Raybourn clearly made an effort to understand the complexities of the situation. I don't love this quite as much as her Lady Julia books, but I still really enjoyed this.

I loved reading this book. Delilah Drummond was great - interesting, self-possessed, adventurous and often very funny. 1920's Kenya was described so lushly that I wanted to go there myself. Unfortunately, the love story wasn't as well-executed as the rest of the book - hence, the two stars.

Several current writers of historical novels set in the period from WWI to the '30s are clearly influenced by the life of Idina Sackville, the real Bolter. This latest from Deanna Raybourn, is no exception. She has captured the essence of those days in Kenya and the reasons for the Brits being there perfectly.It's naughty, flippant and delightful but she doesn't forget the underlying menace of what was to come.

Fans of Raybourn won't be disappointed by this latest novel. Delilah is completely different from Lady Julia, but just as stubborn and independent. There is a bit more eroticism here than in Raybourn's "silent" mysteries. Oh yes, this isn't really a mystery but a well-done coming of age novel.

I often go into a new series or a standalone by an author I love with a little trepidation. My biggest worry is usually that it will be too similar to earlier books. I love Lady Julia, but I don't want to read a cookie cutter of her with new dressing.

My trepidation was unfounded. I probably do not love Delilah and Ryder as much as I adore Julia and Brisbane, but as I read A Spear of Summer Grass I forgot the latter pair even existed. Delilah is delightful with her unapologetic spoiled decadence, but she is not the shallow ninny her lifestyle might suggest. She reveals herself to have incredible kindness and depth of character. "I am no one's best example," quips Delilah at one point. How wrong she was.

I also really appreciated that this was not just a murder mystery, not just a romance based around a smouldering man, but rather a subtle sort of adult coming-of-age with Africa as the real romantic hero who opens her eyes; It's not about whodunit or the hot guy, it is about Delilah's pain, recovery, and finding out who she is meant to be. Raybourn's description of Africa is completely compelling, capturing how different and isolating the land and culture are, which are exactly the qualities that make it so inspiring and empowering.

True storytelling talent really comes through when an author of an established series can create a new, strong voice, and Ms. Raybourn is clearly brimming with talent. The dialogue and prose in this book sparkle with natural ease and confidence in the language without being pretentious or overreaching. A Spear of Summer Grass is outstanding and is Deanna Raybourn's best writing yet.